Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Osaka or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Osaka or Saint Thomas?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Osaka Prices
Japan PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $110Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $110, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Osaka and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $48Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $96Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Saint Thomas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)to Arima-Onsen Resorts-Arrival Transfer: $300
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $259
- Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $244
- Private Transfer Between Kyoto and Kansai Airport KIX: $236
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
- Airport Transfer!Hotel in center of Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX): $192
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $184
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka hotels: $184
- Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $179
- Universal Studios Pass & Private Transfer: $161
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Maizuru Cruise Port: $155
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi - St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $82
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Osaka change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayOsaka $45Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
- Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
- Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
- 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $21Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$31
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
- Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
- Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $243
- 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $75
- 1 Day Takoyaki Making and Osaka Castle Walking Tour: $146
- 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $165
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
- 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $167
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $125
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75
- A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $88
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $12Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Saint Thomas?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Saint Thomas, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Osaka or Saint Thomas?
Osaka has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Osaka or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Osaka is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Osaka in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Osaka usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOsaka 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In October, Osaka is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Osaka usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOsaka 19°C (66°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Osaka is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Osaka usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOsaka 6°C (42°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Osaka during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the spring, Osaka is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Osaka in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOsaka 15°C (59°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Osaka
| Osaka | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.